It's good that Mantilla does have a few fans as he is the forgotten Spaniard. He doesn't have the girls swooning like Ferrero, Lopez or Moya, he hasn't been as successful as Corretja or Costa.

He has won 10 titles and his last one was in Rome. He has had some achilles problems this year and it has effected his play so far. Too bad the shoulder problems wrecked part of his career, but he is still a favourite of mine.

For a guy who has his best results on clay he has beaten Sampras and Hewitt on hardcourts when they were #1 and he made the QF of the Australian Open and semis in 98 French Open.

Vamos Felix get back on track for the European clay season and get some points for this year.

__________________“ On Nadal bumping him on the changeover, Rosol said: "It's ok, he wanted to take my concentration; I knew he would try something".

Wilander on Dimitrov - "He has mind set on imitating Federer and yes it looks good. But he has no idea what to do on the court".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filo V.

I definitely would have preferred Gaba winning as he needs the points much more, but Jan would have beaten him anyway. I expect Hajek to destroy Machado, like 6-1 6-2.

ROME : Felix Mantilla is hoping he can upset the odds and spring another surprise when he begins the defence of his Rome Masters Series title.

The unassuming Spaniard ripped up the form book last year, beating two former French Open champions, Albert Costa and Yevgeny Kafelnikov, before winning the final in straight sets against current world number one Roger Federer.

But he failed to build on that success after suffering a stomach injury and struggled for the remainder of the season with a dismal 1-10 record.

This year the mild-mannered 29-year-old hopes to have turned the corner and is raring to go in the Eternal City.

"I have some great memories from last year - it's a wonderful place to play and the atmosphere here is very special," said the softly spoken clay court specialist, who reached the semi-final at Roland Garros in 1998.

"I've had some problems with my stomach and I haven't always been able to train properly and that's very tough for any player.

"But I feel a lot better now and I just want to go out on court and play my best tennis."

Seeded 30, Mantilla admitted he was happy to be considered an outsider, just as he was last year.

"Last year I started more or less in the same position and I won the tournament," he said.

"I was perhaps better prepared then, but you never know what can happen in tennis.

"If you win a couple of matches, get into a rhythm, you can suddenly find yourself in a good position."

Mantilla, who faces American Robby Ginepri in his opening match at the Foro Italico, was barely recognisable from the man who lifted the trophy last year.

His unkempt beard has been shaved off, while his hair has blonde highlights.

"Yeah, now I look like a normal guy," he said. "I like to change my image every so often."

__________________“ On Nadal bumping him on the changeover, Rosol said: "It's ok, he wanted to take my concentration; I knew he would try something".

Wilander on Dimitrov - "He has mind set on imitating Federer and yes it looks good. But he has no idea what to do on the court".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filo V.

I definitely would have preferred Gaba winning as he needs the points much more, but Jan would have beaten him anyway. I expect Hajek to destroy Machado, like 6-1 6-2.

OK during my day at wimbledon thursday (1st week) i managed to see felix for a set and half. during his first round match, i had centre court tickets, so i didnt stay to watch all the match. i had already missed the first two matches on centre court. it was nice to see felix for real, even on grass. he is a great guy as i expected, i managed to get some photos. although it was court 18, so the bars were in the way, and people also: